Oncology

If you have been referred to us by your GP with suspected cancer, you will initially be assessed in the ‘two-week rule’ clinic. As the name suggests, this will involve seeing a consultant and having the necessary tests within two weeks of the referral. Most women referred to the clinic do NOT have cancer and can be rapidly reassured.

Other investigations, such as CT scanning or hysteroscopy (where a fine telescope is passed inside the womb through the cervix’s natural opening to the womb), can be undertaken in the clinic or under a general anaesthetic in the day surgery unit.

If you do have cancer diagnosed, the results of your scans, biopsies and other investigations will be discussed with our colleagues at the Royal Marsden Hospital, where a group of specialist cancer and gynaecological consultants will look at your case and devise an individual treatment plan.

Any necessary surgery will then take place at either our hospitals, or with our close colleagues at the Royal Marsden, and St George's Hospital in Tooting. Follow-up appointments will take place in the appropriate joint cancer clinic. Any further chemotherapy or radiotherapy usually takes place at the Royal Marsden Hospital.

Contact details

Tel: 020 8296 2983

Laparoscopy

Our expert staff carry out this routine procedure while you are under general anaesthetic, so you won’t be awake during the procedure. A laparoscopy allows clinicians to check for any abnormalities with your womb, fallopian tubes, ovaries and surrounding pelvic organs.

A laparoscopy involves a very small incision (cut) being made in your belly button so that a small telescope called a laparoscope can be inserted into your abdomen to help find the cause of a problem you are having, such as:

pelvic pain

period pain

pain during sexual intercourse

Usually this procedure is performed as a day case but you may need to stay in hospital overnight following the procedure. A laparoscopy is very low risk, but there are a few precautions which must be considered beforehand, such as:

If your period is due, or you think you might be bleeding on the day of the procedure, please call 020 8296 2864 to discuss if an alternative date may be necessary

It is very important to use an effective form of contraception, eg condom or abstinence, from the time of your last period preceding the laparoscopy until after the test is performed

If your last period is delayed (late) or very light, please perform a pregnancy test the day before you are due to attend for the procedure. If this is not done, then it might not be possible to perform this test

Normally after a laparoscopy, the small incision will require just one stitch which will be covered with a plaster. Although these stitches dissolve and fall away in eight weeks’ time, we recommend having the stitches removed after three days. This can be done at your GP surgery, so our ward staff will give you a letter to take home with you to book having your stitches removed.

The doctor will see you following your operation and explain the outcome. The doctor will tell you if you need a hospital check-up and if so an appointment will be made and given to you or will be sent to you by post. When a hospital follow up appointment is not needed, please contact your GP with any subsequent concerns.

The nurse will order any prescription that you may need before you go home and you will be given a letter for your GP, to deliver to the surgery. Please ensure you have a relative or friend to collect you from hospital and stay with you for 24-hours following the procedure.

Tips for recovery

You can bathe or shower as usual, but take care to dry the area near the incision thoroughly with a soft clean towel.

You may experience some discomfort under your ribs or across your shoulders. This is nothing to worry about and happens because of the gas used during the procedure. Paracetamol will ease this if necessary.

You may notice that your tummy is a little distended. This too is due to the gas and will settle in a couple of days.

Some vaginal blood loss is normal and should only last for two to three days. Please contact your GP if bleeding is severe.

Avoid wearing tight clothing, as this may be uncomfortable.

Refrain from work for a few days or longer if uncomfortable. If a sick certificate is required, please obtain this from your GP.

Do not drive for 24 hours after anaesthetic.

Do not resume sexual intercourse until you feel completely comfortable again.

Urgent referrals

If your GP requests an urgent outpatient appointment for you at St Helier Hospital's women's health department, this does not necessarily mean that there is a serious problem, rather that it is important that we exclude one.

During your appointment we try to carry out as many tests as are required to ensure that all is well. During these tests, you will always be accompanied by a specialist nurse who will assist the doctor and help support you through the process. Depending on requirement, your doctor may:

Take a medical history from you

Undertake a physical examination, including a pelvic examination via the vagina, cervical smear, and possibly a biopsy of the lining of the womb, skin or cervix (neck of the womb)

Perform an ultrasound. This may be through the abdominal wall as in pregnancy, or more commonly as an internal scan via the vagina, like taking a cervical smear. This may be slightly uncomfortable, but it takes only a few minutes and can be carried out during your physical examination. Wearing clothes that are easy to remove may make this more convenient

Arrange for blood tests, ECGs (heart monitoring), and x-rays

When we see you, we will explain what we are going to do and can answer any questions or concerns you may have.